THE BIG EVENT
The WWF heads up North to break attendance records, as Hulk Hogan pays the price for not returning his calls - traveling back two hundred years to wrestle a traitor...Meanwhile, dragons and snakes struggle with the Border Patrol, and Bobby Heenan battles the inability to see the blindingly obvious...
history in the making
What gets forgotten about the mid-80s wrestling boom is that some territories didn’t collapse immediately in the face of the McMahon juggernaut, and that some of them even did well enough to challenge the WWF. The main rival, of course, was the NWA, which through Jim Crockett Promotions was enjoying national success of its own (at least on the arena circuit) and in the summer of 1986 promoted its Great American Bash tour throughout the south and east of America to huge crowds with cards featuring Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen, Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., The Road Warriors, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, and The Midnight Express, which was quite the talent pool. Of course, competition has always resulted in the WWF pushing themselves to achieve even greater heights, and that’s just what they did that summer.
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Following Roddy Piper’s sabbatical, Piper’s Pit was replaced with the Flower Shop, hosted by ‘Adorable’ Adrian Adonis. Adonis had continued his feud with ‘Mr Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff following the last Saturday Night’s Main Event, and took to taunting Orndorff in regards to his friendship with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan. Adonis portrayed Mr Wonderful as the hanger-on in the friendship, claiming that Hogan didn’t even really like him. Orndorff grew enraged by this, leading to a fantastic segment in which he tried to call Hogan to prove their closeness, only to get no answer. Tension was teased between the two, only for Orndorff to declare that they were still best buds, and they would team up to face first The Moondogs and then King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd. During the Moondogs match, Orndorff won the match single-handedly in order to prove that he was better than Hogan, and he tried the same in Bundy/Studd match. The duo won that match by disqualification when Bundy and Studd wouldn’t stop beating down Hogan. After the match, Orndorff made the save, raised the hand of his partner, and then clotheslined the champion to the mat before piledriving him and leaving with the bad guys. Perhaps Hulk Hogan can explain it better for you…
Despite Hulk actually looking like a bad friend (he didn’t return the call, did he?) the crowd did not care, and ‘Mr Wonderful’ instantly became the number one and hottest heel in the company. That he quickly took Bobby Heenan back on as his manager and began coming to the ring to Hogan’s own ‘Real American’ theme only added to the fans disdain. The feud got over huge, and the site for one of their first big matches would be the Canada National Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with the potential to shift 60,000+ tickets and make it the biggest wrestling match of all time in North America. They went and did it.
The undercard also saw a big meeting between Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts in a Snake Pit match. Upon returning to action following the DDT on the concrete at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Steamboat had been taking a komodo dragon to ringside with him in order to counteract Roberts’s snake, Damien. Their match here was billed as having both their animals at ringside, but that wasn’t going to be the case…
The undercard also saw a big meeting between Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts in a Snake Pit match. Upon returning to action following the DDT on the concrete at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Steamboat had been taking a komodo dragon to ringside with him in order to counteract Roberts’s snake, Damien. Their match here was billed as having both their animals at ringside, but that wasn’t going to be the case…
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A storyline reason was given for Andre The Giant’s long absence when he failed to appear for a tag team match as challenged by Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan. As a result he was ‘suspended’. As August began, videos were shown of Mean Gene Okerlund in Japan interviewing The Machines, a masked duo who were apparently the finest team in the Orient, and were ready to come to America to challenge the stars of the WWF.
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One of them, Giant Machine, was very clearly Andre The Giant, something that was wonderfully never acknowledged by any babyface commentators or performers, who kept up the pretence. Heenan was outraged, and managed to get new WWF President Jack Tunney to agree to suspending Andre for life if Heenan could prove that it was the Frenchman behind the Machine mask. Playing the role of Super Machine was Bill Eadie, seen earlier on It's A Happening as The Masked Superstar, and shortly before The Big Event a third Machine - Big - was added, Blackjack Mulligan under the hood. The Machines then aligned themselves with Capt. Lou Albano, as any good tag team would, and were set to team with their new manager against the trio of King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd and Heenan himself at The Big Event.
Despite these big feuds and angles, The Big Event was sold on the strength of the Orndorff-Hogan feud, which would become one of the biggest in WWF history, and was also available as a Canada-only pay-per-view. The show would appear on VHS in America and several matches would make it on to Prime Time Wrestling throughout the autumn. Moreover, it was a very definite statement that the WWF was still leading the way in wrestling’s big boom…
Despite these big feuds and angles, The Big Event was sold on the strength of the Orndorff-Hogan feud, which would become one of the biggest in WWF history, and was also available as a Canada-only pay-per-view. The show would appear on VHS in America and several matches would make it on to Prime Time Wrestling throughout the autumn. Moreover, it was a very definite statement that the WWF was still leading the way in wrestling’s big boom…
it's a happening
We open with a helicopter shot of Toronto, cut with clips from the show and Mean Gene putting over the CNE. The ring looks tiny from above, surrounded by a mass of humanity. It seems that ‘Adorable’ Adrian Adonis and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts are just as big a draw as Hogan and Orndorff, at least according to the on-screen graphic…
Our commentators are the unusual trio of Gorilla Monsoon, Johnny V and ‘The Big Cat’ Ernie Ladd, and we go straight into action.
Our commentators are the unusual trio of Gorilla Monsoon, Johnny V and ‘The Big Cat’ Ernie Ladd, and we go straight into action.
the killer bees vs. hoss & jimmy jack funk (w/ jimmy hart)
Terry Funk had left shortly after the last Saturday Night’s Main Event, but Hoss stayed around to slide down the card with fake brother, Jimmy Jack ‘Zorro’ Funk. Hoss starts off with B. Brian Blair, who unleashes slams on both Funks, forcing the heels to bail outside. Hoss tries to tie Blair up in the corner, but the Killer Bee unleashes some elbows and the Funks bail again. We swap partners, and Zorro doesn’t fair any better against Jim Brunzell. Brunzell then nails a high crossbody block on Hoss, and Blair comes in to lock in an armbar. Hoss escapes, but one slam later he’s back in an armbar. Gorilla speculates that Zorro thinks he’s the Lone Ranger, but regardless of who he is, he walks straight into another armbar. Some neat interplay between the Killer Bees allows Brunzell to lock in a sleeper, but an easy distraction of the ref allows Hoss the chance to break it up.
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The Funks start to take control now, with Brunzell knocked outside and slammed on the floor by Zorro. We jump cut to the Bees putting their masks on, which allows Blair to go back in the ring and nail atomic drops, clotheslines for everyone and synch Hoss up in an abdominal stretch. Zorro hits an awkward clothesline to break it up, and as the ref takes him out of the ring it allows Brunzell a chance to re-enter and roll Zorro up in a small package for the three count. The Killer Bees cheat to win, much to Johnny V’s justifiable annoyance.
king tonga (for the first five minutes, haku thereafter) vs. the magnificent muraco (w/ mr fuji)
Muraco is sporting a Rocky-style crop top that makes it seem that he has just come back from a beachfront sprint with Rocky and Apollo. Johnny V starts with the casual racism early, noting that Tonga has lost weight, probably because he’s “pushed away some of those rice bowls”. We jump cut in to the match. The commentators compare the strengths of the two competitors, with Gorilla noting that Tonga has “long ligament strength”.
They criss-cross and Tonga hip tosses and slams Muraco, who bails. Muraco offers his hand, but Tonga refuses. Seemingly offended by this, The Magnificent One then doesn’t sell Tonga’s chops, and dramatically throws himself out of the ring following a dropkick. Ernie Ladd mentions that Tonga now wishes to be called “Haku”. Haku locks in an arm wringer, which must have been a long one because there is another jump cut to the end of the hold, as Muraco tries to monkey flip his way out of it but Haku holds on. Fuji comes to his man’s rescue, tripping Haku’s legs and giving Muraco a chance to nail some knees. Muraco throws him outside, where Fuji brutally whacks Haku across the back of the neck with his cane. Not satisfied, Muraco distracts the referee so that Fuji can get some more brutal shots in.
Muraco slams Haku back in from the outside, and pounces on his opponent to lock in a trapezius massage/hold, which thankfully is again cut out, taking us straight to Haku dropping his arms way more than three times but not losing the match. He finally manages to power up, nailing some knife-edge chops and a dropkick, but he misses a corner charge and Muraco takes control again, wrapping Haku’s legs around the ringpost and giving them a good whacking. In the ring, Muraco uses Fuji’s old ball buster ‘butt, which is a nice touch, and then locks in a figure-four leglock. Haku refuses to quit, making Johnny V lament the “Islander’s lack of brains!” Speaking of lack of brains, Muraco takes his time climbing to the top rope, allowing Haku a chance to recover and press slam Muraco from the top rope. An Asian spike is countered with some chops, and Haku starts to unload. He is able to get to the top rope quickly and effectively because he’s a babyface, and nails a flying bodypress, only for the bell to ring during the pinfall. It turns out to be a twenty-minute time-limit draw, which means those rest holds must have been loooooooong…
They criss-cross and Tonga hip tosses and slams Muraco, who bails. Muraco offers his hand, but Tonga refuses. Seemingly offended by this, The Magnificent One then doesn’t sell Tonga’s chops, and dramatically throws himself out of the ring following a dropkick. Ernie Ladd mentions that Tonga now wishes to be called “Haku”. Haku locks in an arm wringer, which must have been a long one because there is another jump cut to the end of the hold, as Muraco tries to monkey flip his way out of it but Haku holds on. Fuji comes to his man’s rescue, tripping Haku’s legs and giving Muraco a chance to nail some knees. Muraco throws him outside, where Fuji brutally whacks Haku across the back of the neck with his cane. Not satisfied, Muraco distracts the referee so that Fuji can get some more brutal shots in.
Muraco slams Haku back in from the outside, and pounces on his opponent to lock in a trapezius massage/hold, which thankfully is again cut out, taking us straight to Haku dropping his arms way more than three times but not losing the match. He finally manages to power up, nailing some knife-edge chops and a dropkick, but he misses a corner charge and Muraco takes control again, wrapping Haku’s legs around the ringpost and giving them a good whacking. In the ring, Muraco uses Fuji’s old ball buster ‘butt, which is a nice touch, and then locks in a figure-four leglock. Haku refuses to quit, making Johnny V lament the “Islander’s lack of brains!” Speaking of lack of brains, Muraco takes his time climbing to the top rope, allowing Haku a chance to recover and press slam Muraco from the top rope. An Asian spike is countered with some chops, and Haku starts to unload. He is able to get to the top rope quickly and effectively because he’s a babyface, and nails a flying bodypress, only for the bell to ring during the pinfall. It turns out to be a twenty-minute time-limit draw, which means those rest holds must have been loooooooong…
tony garea vs. ted arcidi
Arcidi had bombed as a babyface, and so by this point was being turned into an arrogant heel, while Garea’s hair hadn’t changed a follicle. The two begin with Garea trying to lock up and Arcidi pushing him away. Garea tries a headlock, and Arcidi again demonstrates his favourite move: pushing. Arcidi won’t break cleanly and sneaks a powerslam in. Arcidi rams Garea’s head around the ring and poses constantly, as Ernie Ladd theorises that his attitude change is a result of seeing Paul Orndorff’s recent action. Garea gets a neat dropkick in, but he comes off the rope into a bearhug, which forces him to give up quickly and give the win to Arcidi.
Jimmy Hart prevents Mean Gene from getting a hot dog, and recounts the long feud with Junkyard Dog, mentioning his underwear numerous times, as he should…
junkyard dog vs. 'adorable' adrian adonis
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Jimmy Hart has stolen Ken Dodd’s feather duster. JYD’s entrance gets cut and we jump straight to Junkyard Dog laying Adonis out with his chain still in hand. JYD seems to have changed his entrance music from ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ to ‘Grab Them Cakes’, as Johnny V points out that Adonis “sure has some cakes to grab”. Adonis is flailing around the ring as JYD hits his ramming head-butts and whips the Adorable One into the corner and outside. As JYD tries to pull Adonis back in by his hair he deliberately shoves the referee down but without a DQ. Jimmy Hart uses the opportunity to spray perfume in JYD’s face and let Adonis take control. Kneedrops with his leg warmers follow and a second rope one gets a two for Adonis. JYD rolls outside, where Jimmy Hart nails him with the perfume spray canister to no effect. Jimmy then leaps onto the back of the Dog, but only seems to cause Adonis to lose his footing and fall crotch first onto the top rope and tumble to the outside. Gorilla claims that Adonis’s “wish finally came true, he became a Soprano.” By this point the ref has recovered and is counting both men out, and continues to do so even when they both roll back in – crucially, Adonis is the first to do so – and keeps counting as JYD throws Adonis into Jimmy Hart on the apron, sending both men careering to the floor. As soon as the pair hit the ground, the bell rings and JYD is announced as the winner by countout…Heaven knows how…
'the rebel' dick slater vs. 'iron' mike sharpe
Dick Slater had been a big success in Georgia, Mid-Atlantic, and most recently in Mid-South (where he had been involved in a white-hot feud with Jake Roberts), so upon arriving in the national WWF he was given the gimmick of a Southern Rebel, complete with Confederate flag attire. Best of all, he was pushed as a babyface. ‘Iron’ Mike Sharpe was one of the WWF’s excellent jobber team, a group of wrestlers who always lost on TV but still had personalities and gimmicks.
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In the case of Sharpe, it was the Bob Orton template: he had a forearm injury that never seemed to heal, and he had multiple nicknames, including ‘Canada’s Greatest Athlete’. Oh, and he was pretty loud in the ring…
Slater immediately gets Sharpe’s vocal chords working with a hammerlock that elicits a rather loud cry of pain from the home country hero, as does Slater stomping and crushing his fingers. They mention several times that Slater is very experienced, but also that it wasn’t in the WWF, so it probably doesn’t mean too much. There’s a jump cut to Sharpe begging off. ‘Canada’s Greatest Athlete’ then charges with a clothesline which Slater ducks and turns into a swinging neckbreaker. The Rebel misses an elbow but nails a side-Russian leg sweep, setting Sharpe up for an elbow to the top of the head from the top rope for a three count.
Slater immediately gets Sharpe’s vocal chords working with a hammerlock that elicits a rather loud cry of pain from the home country hero, as does Slater stomping and crushing his fingers. They mention several times that Slater is very experienced, but also that it wasn’t in the WWF, so it probably doesn’t mean too much. There’s a jump cut to Sharpe begging off. ‘Canada’s Greatest Athlete’ then charges with a clothesline which Slater ducks and turns into a swinging neckbreaker. The Rebel misses an elbow but nails a side-Russian leg sweep, setting Sharpe up for an elbow to the top of the head from the top rope for a three count.
Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan is with Mean Gene. He pimps the upcoming six-man tag and the WWF Championship match, and starts to get excited about the prospect of Mr Wonderful taking the title. Mean Gene calms him down, and urges him to reflect on being part of history in front of this massive crowd. Heenan retorts that he makes history, and its all because of him and his charges that the crowd is so large. Mean Gene thanks him for turning up and not “weaselling out” which sets up Heenan to say he doesn’t want to be called “weasel”. The fans of course then start yelling it at him. Simple, genius stuff.
the machines & capt. lou albano (w/giant machine) vs. king kong bundy, big john studd & bobby 'the brain' heenan
“Weasel!” chants are flying. Albano and The Machines discuss who will be the two to join their manager for this match, and eventually Giant Machine steps down to allow Super and Big to fight. Super begins with Studd, and unloads with some big punches but fails with a slam attempt. The “Weasel!” chants continue to get louder. Super Machine starts with the clotheslines, and after a third one he manages to knock Studd out of the ring, where Giant Machine sends him back inside forcefully. Big Machine tries his hand at slamming Studd, but also fails. Bundy is in, and locks in a side headlock of all things. Big Machine and Bundy run shoulder-first into one another, with no ill effects on either side. Bundy misses an Avalanche, allowing Big Machine to knock him down with a back elbow.
The Hairless One takes a break to regain his composure, and it works a treat as he turns the tide in his team’s favour with some clubbing blows. Bobby Heenan tags in! He stomps and kicks Big Machine as he lies on the ground, but is tackled from behind by Super Machine as The Brain tries to remove Big’s mask. Super Machine makes the hot tag and is a house on fire for a few seconds until Big John Studd decides he’s had enough and knocks him down. Miscommunication between Bundy and Studd doesn’t do too much damage as Studd is seemingly unfazed by Bundy bundling into him. The heels work over Super Machine, with Heenan jumping in to stomp on the prone Machine. Heenan of course makes the mistake of turning his back on the Machine to bark instructions to his partners, allowing Super to make the tag to Capt. Lou.
The crowd are behind Gorilla Monsoon’s birth control method, chanting “Lou!” as Heenan backs off. The Brain is not a complete coward, however, as he slaps the Captain. This only enrages Albano, however, and he whips Heenan across the ring and into the buckles for a big bump. The Brain gets a cheap shot in and escapes by tagging Big John Studd in. Studd goes to tackle the Machines and distract the referee so that Bundy and Heenan can stomp Albano in their corner. Giant Machine is not so keen on this turn of events, so in he comes to clean house. Heenan bumps big from Giant’s chops and the crowd love it. They don’t love the decision, however, which is that Heenan, Studd and Bundy are the winners by way of disqualification. Luckily, Gorilla Monsoon reminds us that the Machines have won a “moral victory.”
The Hairless One takes a break to regain his composure, and it works a treat as he turns the tide in his team’s favour with some clubbing blows. Bobby Heenan tags in! He stomps and kicks Big Machine as he lies on the ground, but is tackled from behind by Super Machine as The Brain tries to remove Big’s mask. Super Machine makes the hot tag and is a house on fire for a few seconds until Big John Studd decides he’s had enough and knocks him down. Miscommunication between Bundy and Studd doesn’t do too much damage as Studd is seemingly unfazed by Bundy bundling into him. The heels work over Super Machine, with Heenan jumping in to stomp on the prone Machine. Heenan of course makes the mistake of turning his back on the Machine to bark instructions to his partners, allowing Super to make the tag to Capt. Lou.
The crowd are behind Gorilla Monsoon’s birth control method, chanting “Lou!” as Heenan backs off. The Brain is not a complete coward, however, as he slaps the Captain. This only enrages Albano, however, and he whips Heenan across the ring and into the buckles for a big bump. The Brain gets a cheap shot in and escapes by tagging Big John Studd in. Studd goes to tackle the Machines and distract the referee so that Bundy and Heenan can stomp Albano in their corner. Giant Machine is not so keen on this turn of events, so in he comes to clean house. Heenan bumps big from Giant’s chops and the crowd love it. They don’t love the decision, however, which is that Heenan, Studd and Bundy are the winners by way of disqualification. Luckily, Gorilla Monsoon reminds us that the Machines have won a “moral victory.”
snake pit match: ricky 'the dragon' steamboat vs. jake 'the snake' roberts
A Snake Pit Match is essentially a no-disqualification, anything goes match, which provokes a devious little smirk from Jake The Snake as The Fink runs down the rules. Steamboat’s komodo dragon, which he had introduced to counter Roberts’s snake, was unable to make it past the border, so it’s just Man-Dragon vs. Man-Snake for this one.
Steamboat is over huge with the crowd here, who are really starting to come alive for the big matches. Roberts jumps the Dragon on the apron, just as he did at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but it doesn’t end with a DDT this time, as they take it inside and this time Steamboat ducks the short-arm clothesline. Because he’s a clever babyface who learns from past setbacks, you see. Steamboat unloads the chops and throws Jake high in the air with a backdrop. Roberts slithers out of the ring for a break, as Gorilla recounts the events of SNME for us. We are also informed that the red bandana The Dragon is wearing around his leg is to remind him of the pain of the DDT.
Steamboat is over huge with the crowd here, who are really starting to come alive for the big matches. Roberts jumps the Dragon on the apron, just as he did at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but it doesn’t end with a DDT this time, as they take it inside and this time Steamboat ducks the short-arm clothesline. Because he’s a clever babyface who learns from past setbacks, you see. Steamboat unloads the chops and throws Jake high in the air with a backdrop. Roberts slithers out of the ring for a break, as Gorilla recounts the events of SNME for us. We are also informed that the red bandana The Dragon is wearing around his leg is to remind him of the pain of the DDT.
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A chop from Steamboat gets a two count surprisingly, and then the Dragon displays his power by yanking Roberts’s arm and throwing the Snake over his shoulder. Due to the yanking action, Johnny V speculates on Roberts’s new shirtsleeve size. We are informed that Steamboat’s dragon was “too dangerous” to make the trip, but Johnny V believes they were worried that another dragon would find Steamboat’s irresistible, storm the ring in courtly pursuit, and force everyone to bail for the river nearby. Meanwhile, there’s a good match going on, which sees Roberts controlling his opponent until he misses a punch and allows Steamboat the chance to unleash those chops again and nail a reverse crescent kick that knocks the Snake outside.
Steamboat follows his opponent outside, where Roberts lunges at his stomach, and knocks enough wind out of him to enable a slam to the concrete floor. The Snake places Steamboat on the ring apron so that he can drop some knees on to him, and then grabs a steel chair, only for the Dragon to interrupt his evil intentions and commandeer the chair for himself. He jabs Roberts in the gut with it, and then nails a sick unprotected chair shot to the head. Back in the ring, Steamboat gets a two from a flying chop and then locks in an armbar. Ernie Ladd argues the merits of wearing an opponent down, whereas Johnny V castigates Steamboat for not going for the kill. Steamboat puts a new spin on the turnbuckle ten spot by chopping Roberts to the count of the crowd. Roberts takes over by reversing an Irish whip and sending Steamboat outside. The Dragon takes a very long, slightly ridiculous bump to the outside, which looks borderline stupid at first, but then you realise he was trying to avoid the steel turnbuckle and you remember why Ricky Steamboat is awesome.
Outside, Roberts slingshots Steamboat in to the same steel post he was trying to avoid. The Dragon stumbles around and falls off the raised ring area, as Roberts pounces and rams him into the steel railings. Steamboat is bleeding now. Roberts rolls Steamboat into the ring and begs with him not to get up. The DDT nearly connects, but Steamboat avoids it. Roberts beats his opponent down with an atomic drop and inverted neckbreaker. Roberts slithers onto his prone opponent for a two count, but leaves his hands up in disgust, giving Steamboat the chance to throw his legs up and roll the Snake up for a three count of nowhere. A great match that due to the suddenness of the ending still leaves mileage in the feud…
Steamboat follows his opponent outside, where Roberts lunges at his stomach, and knocks enough wind out of him to enable a slam to the concrete floor. The Snake places Steamboat on the ring apron so that he can drop some knees on to him, and then grabs a steel chair, only for the Dragon to interrupt his evil intentions and commandeer the chair for himself. He jabs Roberts in the gut with it, and then nails a sick unprotected chair shot to the head. Back in the ring, Steamboat gets a two from a flying chop and then locks in an armbar. Ernie Ladd argues the merits of wearing an opponent down, whereas Johnny V castigates Steamboat for not going for the kill. Steamboat puts a new spin on the turnbuckle ten spot by chopping Roberts to the count of the crowd. Roberts takes over by reversing an Irish whip and sending Steamboat outside. The Dragon takes a very long, slightly ridiculous bump to the outside, which looks borderline stupid at first, but then you realise he was trying to avoid the steel turnbuckle and you remember why Ricky Steamboat is awesome.
Outside, Roberts slingshots Steamboat in to the same steel post he was trying to avoid. The Dragon stumbles around and falls off the raised ring area, as Roberts pounces and rams him into the steel railings. Steamboat is bleeding now. Roberts rolls Steamboat into the ring and begs with him not to get up. The DDT nearly connects, but Steamboat avoids it. Roberts beats his opponent down with an atomic drop and inverted neckbreaker. Roberts slithers onto his prone opponent for a two count, but leaves his hands up in disgust, giving Steamboat the chance to throw his legs up and roll the Snake up for a three count of nowhere. A great match that due to the suddenness of the ending still leaves mileage in the feud…
billy jack haynes vs. hercules hernandez
Following WrestleMania 2, ‘Classy’ Freddie Blassie had picked up Hercules’ contract and he was getting somewhat of a push. Billy Jack had come in from the NWA, and had been somewhat of a nomad over the previous few years, taking in Florida, World Class and Portland. Haynes’s entire head seems to have been made of hair, with a top-notch mullet and substantial beard covering most of the cranial area. Johnny V and Ernie Ladd have disappeared, and Gorilla appears to be dubbed over the action from a studio, which is jarring.
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Both men – gassed to the gills – try to gain the advantage from a lock up but neither manages it. Haynes slaps a side headlock in, but Hercules escapes and pulls off a lovely little leapfrog. Haynes tries one himself, and it’s far less lovely. Hernandez punishes him for not being aesthetically pleasing with a big clothesline, before a sudden jump cut takes us to Hernandez holding Haynes in a bear hug. Haynes manages to ring Herc’s bell and escapes, only to run into three elbows from his mythical opponent.
Gorilla Monsoon talks about “promoter” Jack Tunney, who was already the on-screen President by this point, and his contribution to the evening. “Boring!” chants start up as the pair run into each other a lot. Haynes takes control with some kicks and a back elbow that sends Hercules down. A backbreaker by the Haired One is followed by a fist from the second rope that bags a two count for Haynes. Billy Jack tries for his patented full nelson, but Hercules escapes and throws Haynes to the outside. Hernandez stops his opponent from getting into the ring by using Sheamus’s clubbing blows to the chest and once suitably weakened he suplexes him back inside.
The finish comes when Hercules hits a big clothesline but he only gets two as Billy Jack is too close to the ropes and gets his foot up. Hercules argues with the referee about his correct decision, and is rolled up for a close two. Hernandez moves to stomp the impertinence with a neckbreaker, but Haynes reverses it into a backslide and gets the three count.
Gorilla Monsoon talks about “promoter” Jack Tunney, who was already the on-screen President by this point, and his contribution to the evening. “Boring!” chants start up as the pair run into each other a lot. Haynes takes control with some kicks and a back elbow that sends Hercules down. A backbreaker by the Haired One is followed by a fist from the second rope that bags a two count for Haynes. Billy Jack tries for his patented full nelson, but Hercules escapes and throws Haynes to the outside. Hernandez stops his opponent from getting into the ring by using Sheamus’s clubbing blows to the chest and once suitably weakened he suplexes him back inside.
The finish comes when Hercules hits a big clothesline but he only gets two as Billy Jack is too close to the ropes and gets his foot up. Hercules argues with the referee about his correct decision, and is rolled up for a close two. Hernandez moves to stomp the impertinence with a neckbreaker, but Haynes reverses it into a backslide and gets the three count.
the rougeau brothers vs. the dream team
The Rougeaus were Jacques and Raymond, the sons of Jacques Rougeau, Sr., a major star in the Montreal territory, and had joined the company in February of 1986. They had yet to engage in any major feuds in the WWF, but they were always guaranteed a place on Canadian cards, where they were hugely popular. Johnny V stays in the commentary booth, confident of his team’s abilities.
There is one of Gorilla’s beloved “Pearl Harbor” jobs to begin, as The Dream Team jump the Rougeaus, although Raymond gains the upper hand on Greg Valentine whilst Brutus Beefcake takes control of Jacques. As in any polite society, they then swap partners, before the Rougeaus are finally left standing tall in the middle of the ring. As the action gets going, Jacques secures a close two from a sunset flip and Raymond nails a crisp reverse savant kick and a less pretty mule kick. Jacques returns with a flying back elbow for another two. An abdominal stretch is not quite locked in as the leg isn’t hooked, and it allows Brutus Beefcake a chance to get in the match and nail a slam for a very slow two count.
As always, Brutus’s dominance doesn’t last long, and Raymond is tagged in to hit a snapmare and a butt bomb. Gorilla picks up on the slowness of the referee, as Beefcake manages to back Raymond into a corner with some knees and a trip to see Valentine’s boot. Valentine comes in via the top rope and a chop, and he gets another exceedingly slow two count from a powerslam. Raymond manages to duck another chop and hits a flying bodypress for two. A double dropkick makes Valentine flop down, and get another slow two. Valentine regains the advantage with some chops, and prompts a very loud scream of agony from Jacques following an atomic drop.
Brutus loses the advantage by strutting around the ring and getting his head rammed into his partner’s. La Bomb Rougeau is nailed on Brutus but the ref – who appears to be a lost Chuckle Brother – takes an age to get down to make the count and Valentine is able to break the pin up clumsily. Johnny V is upset because he’s up in the crowd and the Rougeaus have been tougher than he thought. Valentine rams Raymond back first into the ring apron a couple of times, taking him out of the equation. Beefcake manages to lure Jacques in the ring, enabling the Dream Team to double team Raymond. Brutus gets a big backbreaker from a gorilla press position but again only gets a lumbering Chuckle Brother two. Valentine clubs the lower back of Raymond. Beefcake hits the big stomp and a suplex for a normal speed two from Chuckle Jr. Valentine locks in a bear hug, but Raymond punches his way out. He only escapes briefly, and Beefcake comes off the second rope with an axehandle as Valentine holds the bear hug in again. Jacques is screaming, “Fight back! Fight!” to his brother, and he gets his own chance to fight when Valentine misses a wind-up elbow and Jacques makes the hot tag to a big pop. There are dropkicks for everyone, and slams too, with a double dropkick for extras.
A flying knee from Jacques misses, and despite initial success in escaping, Valentine locks the younger Rougeau in the figure-four leglock. Jacques is in trouble as Johnny V screams for the referee to ring the bell as Rougeau apparently is giving up in French. Raymond strolls in and stomps leisurely on Valentine, only for Beefcake to come in and give him a stiff beating as if Raymond was a fan who had jumped the barricade. In the confusion that arises, Valentine tries for another figure-four leglock, but Raymond sneaks back in and executes a sunset flip to get the three even though he’s not the legal man! Johnny V is irate upstairs, and even more so when Gorilla points out that the Rougeaus actually cheated. Ernie Ladd is amused by the whole thing.
There is one of Gorilla’s beloved “Pearl Harbor” jobs to begin, as The Dream Team jump the Rougeaus, although Raymond gains the upper hand on Greg Valentine whilst Brutus Beefcake takes control of Jacques. As in any polite society, they then swap partners, before the Rougeaus are finally left standing tall in the middle of the ring. As the action gets going, Jacques secures a close two from a sunset flip and Raymond nails a crisp reverse savant kick and a less pretty mule kick. Jacques returns with a flying back elbow for another two. An abdominal stretch is not quite locked in as the leg isn’t hooked, and it allows Brutus Beefcake a chance to get in the match and nail a slam for a very slow two count.
As always, Brutus’s dominance doesn’t last long, and Raymond is tagged in to hit a snapmare and a butt bomb. Gorilla picks up on the slowness of the referee, as Beefcake manages to back Raymond into a corner with some knees and a trip to see Valentine’s boot. Valentine comes in via the top rope and a chop, and he gets another exceedingly slow two count from a powerslam. Raymond manages to duck another chop and hits a flying bodypress for two. A double dropkick makes Valentine flop down, and get another slow two. Valentine regains the advantage with some chops, and prompts a very loud scream of agony from Jacques following an atomic drop.
Brutus loses the advantage by strutting around the ring and getting his head rammed into his partner’s. La Bomb Rougeau is nailed on Brutus but the ref – who appears to be a lost Chuckle Brother – takes an age to get down to make the count and Valentine is able to break the pin up clumsily. Johnny V is upset because he’s up in the crowd and the Rougeaus have been tougher than he thought. Valentine rams Raymond back first into the ring apron a couple of times, taking him out of the equation. Beefcake manages to lure Jacques in the ring, enabling the Dream Team to double team Raymond. Brutus gets a big backbreaker from a gorilla press position but again only gets a lumbering Chuckle Brother two. Valentine clubs the lower back of Raymond. Beefcake hits the big stomp and a suplex for a normal speed two from Chuckle Jr. Valentine locks in a bear hug, but Raymond punches his way out. He only escapes briefly, and Beefcake comes off the second rope with an axehandle as Valentine holds the bear hug in again. Jacques is screaming, “Fight back! Fight!” to his brother, and he gets his own chance to fight when Valentine misses a wind-up elbow and Jacques makes the hot tag to a big pop. There are dropkicks for everyone, and slams too, with a double dropkick for extras.
A flying knee from Jacques misses, and despite initial success in escaping, Valentine locks the younger Rougeau in the figure-four leglock. Jacques is in trouble as Johnny V screams for the referee to ring the bell as Rougeau apparently is giving up in French. Raymond strolls in and stomps leisurely on Valentine, only for Beefcake to come in and give him a stiff beating as if Raymond was a fan who had jumped the barricade. In the confusion that arises, Valentine tries for another figure-four leglock, but Raymond sneaks back in and executes a sunset flip to get the three even though he’s not the legal man! Johnny V is irate upstairs, and even more so when Gorilla points out that the Rougeaus actually cheated. Ernie Ladd is amused by the whole thing.
pedro morales vs. 'handsome' harley race
Harley Race has joined the WWF shortly after WrestleMania II, essentially to make back the money his St. Louis territory had lost due to the expanding WWF. He was some way past his prime by this point, but capable of a good bump. He had aligned himself with Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan – who was absent for this match – and had won the King of the Ring tournament on July 14th in Massachusetts by pinning Morales in the final. He was still ‘Handsome’ here though, and had not yet embraced his newly won crown.
This match would have been huge…in 1973. Instead both men are past their best, although from his movement it seems that Pedro is further along the way than Harley. We join the match in progress as Morales chops Race and nails a big left hook that sends the King outside the ring. There is no benefit for Morales, however, as Race pulls Pedro out on to the apron and drops some elbows before throwing him into the timekeeping table. Race uses the rules to his advantage, rolling in and out of the ring to break the count in between falling head butts. Morales takes a very protected bump into the steel ring post. Race tries to suplex Morales back in the ring, but Pedro counters it. Morales executes a small package for two. Roundhouse lefts by Morales in the corner are broken up by Chuckle, Jr. and that allows Race the chance to trip the legs up from under Morales and put his own feet on the ropes for leverage and to get the three count and victory for the King. There’s a “bullshit!” chant by the crowd, which Gorilla kind of acknowledges.
This match would have been huge…in 1973. Instead both men are past their best, although from his movement it seems that Pedro is further along the way than Harley. We join the match in progress as Morales chops Race and nails a big left hook that sends the King outside the ring. There is no benefit for Morales, however, as Race pulls Pedro out on to the apron and drops some elbows before throwing him into the timekeeping table. Race uses the rules to his advantage, rolling in and out of the ring to break the count in between falling head butts. Morales takes a very protected bump into the steel ring post. Race tries to suplex Morales back in the ring, but Pedro counters it. Morales executes a small package for two. Roundhouse lefts by Morales in the corner are broken up by Chuckle, Jr. and that allows Race the chance to trip the legs up from under Morales and put his own feet on the ropes for leverage and to get the three count and victory for the King. There’s a “bullshit!” chant by the crowd, which Gorilla kind of acknowledges.
wwf championship: hulk hogan (c) vs. 'mr wonderful' paul orndorff (w/bobby 'the brain' heenan)
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‘Real American’ plays for both Orndorff and Hogan’s entrances continuously. The crowd are more than a little excited for this one. There is actually a small “Wonderful!” chant going as we get ready for the match. Orndorff jumps Hogan with a clothesline as Chuckle checks the champ’s boots. Stomps and rights follow, and the two roll around on the floor until Hogan gets the dominant position. Chuckle pulls him off by the hair, which is surprisingly assertive, and also allows Orndorff to strike.
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The foes exchange blows, Hogan coming off the ropes with a big punch to send ‘Mr Wonderful’ to the outside. An elbow sends Orndorff right back outside again, but he pulls him right outside with him and rams the Hulkster into the apron. A second try doesn’t go so well, Hogan blocking it and sending Orndorff back first into the apron.
In the ring, Hogan unloads with a running clothesline, elbow, head butt, and another clothesline into the corner. Heenan starts to make his presence felt, but his attempted distraction leads only to an atomic drop from the champion, who then disembarks to chase Heenan on the outside. ‘The Brain’ slides into the ring with Hogan in pursuit, only for Orndorff to cut his opponent off with stomps. The crowd begins to chant, “Hogan!” as Orndorff takes control and dumps the champ to the outside. Orndorff suplexes Hogan on the floor, “the steel floor” we are told by Gorilla. Orndorff mocks with the Hogan ear cusp. Hogan tries to get in the ring, but he’s stopped by ‘Mr Wonderful’ with elbows.
Hogan has been outside for a while now, but there has yet to be a serious count from the referee. Finally Hogan makes it back into the ring, only to meet a slam and a very measured elbow to the throat that gets the challenger a two count. Orndorff sets up for the piledriver, but Hogan uses the last remains of his energy to backdrop his way out of the manoeuvre. Orndorff strikes back with rakes, chokes and something that either is a kiss or a bite to Hogan’s neck. ‘Mr Wonderful’ thinks he has won the match after a back suplex, but the champion had managed to get his foot under the ropes. As Orndorff celebrates, Hogan runs up with a knee to the back that takes both challenger and referee down. The crowd are excited now, as Hogan looks at the situation and sarcastically remarks, “Oh, too bad!”
In the ring, Hogan unloads with a running clothesline, elbow, head butt, and another clothesline into the corner. Heenan starts to make his presence felt, but his attempted distraction leads only to an atomic drop from the champion, who then disembarks to chase Heenan on the outside. ‘The Brain’ slides into the ring with Hogan in pursuit, only for Orndorff to cut his opponent off with stomps. The crowd begins to chant, “Hogan!” as Orndorff takes control and dumps the champ to the outside. Orndorff suplexes Hogan on the floor, “the steel floor” we are told by Gorilla. Orndorff mocks with the Hogan ear cusp. Hogan tries to get in the ring, but he’s stopped by ‘Mr Wonderful’ with elbows.
Hogan has been outside for a while now, but there has yet to be a serious count from the referee. Finally Hogan makes it back into the ring, only to meet a slam and a very measured elbow to the throat that gets the challenger a two count. Orndorff sets up for the piledriver, but Hogan uses the last remains of his energy to backdrop his way out of the manoeuvre. Orndorff strikes back with rakes, chokes and something that either is a kiss or a bite to Hogan’s neck. ‘Mr Wonderful’ thinks he has won the match after a back suplex, but the champion had managed to get his foot under the ropes. As Orndorff celebrates, Hogan runs up with a knee to the back that takes both challenger and referee down. The crowd are excited now, as Hogan looks at the situation and sarcastically remarks, “Oh, too bad!”
Hogan pulls Orndorff up and nails him with a clothesline just as Orndorff had done to him during the big turn. Hogan signals for the piledriver, and gyrates with Orndorff’s head trapped between his legs. He lifts his opponent up and holds him there for quite some time, waiting for Heenan to come in and club him on the back of the neck with a stool, just as the referee is starting to come back around. Orndorff covers Hogan and counts himself. The ref crawls over slowly and taps Wonderful on the back. Orndorff and Heenan celebrate with the title, even as The Fink announces the DQ win for Hulk Hogan.
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In a rage, Orndorff starts to stomp on Hogan. We get the Hulk Up, which Orndorff tries to cut off with a belt shot, but Hogan blocks it and nails Orndorff with a big punch. A big boot sends ‘Mr Wonderful’ to the outside and allows Hogan a chance to celebrate with the title he is still in possession of.
We finish with a replay of Heenan’s stool attack and Hogan fighting Orndorff off. The credits roll over stills from the night’s fun.
well you know something, mean gene...
The Big Event managed to get a crowd of between 68,000 – 74,000 in to the CNE, and made a very firm statement of which wrestling company was occupying the number one spot. Despite the huge success of the Great American Bash tour, it would take several shows on the tour to match the attendance of this one event.
And it was certainly enjoyable in places. When the crowd was engaged it gave the matches that special, big time feel, and as a result the matches featuring Steamboat vs. Roberts, The Machines & Albano vs. Heenan, Bundy & Studd, and the main event between Hogan and Orndorff were all very enjoyable. The disqualification finishes for the latter two detracted somewhat from them, but also made sense as both of these feuds were only in their first few weeks, and perhaps some people needed protecting to extend them longer. The finish to Steamboat-Roberts did of course produce a winner, but the desperate element of the winning pinfall meant it was very easy to carry on that feud as well.
Throughout the rest of the card there were a lot of so-so matches that never really went anywhere, but most of them had a point in terms of getting someone over, be it Dick Slater or Ted Arcidi. Good action could be found in the tag team matches, with solid performances in The Dream Team-Rougeaus match in particular.
For the biggest card of the year (and all time at that point) it was a shame to not see some of the other quality talent on the show such as Randy Savage, Bob Orton, The Hart Foundation or The British Bulldogs, but this was a time when the WWF was running 2-3 shows a night, so they were needed elsewhere.
It’s an indicator then of just how big the Hogan-Orndorff feud had already become that a card with so much filler (Muraco vs. Haku, Arcidi vs. Tony Garea or Dick Slater vs. Mike Sharpe, anyone?) could break attendance records. An event of historical significance, then, but not featuring the best matches you could find in the WWF in 1986. The big three matches are worth a look though, as much due to the electrifying crowd as to the action in the ring. This was just the beginning of attendance-breaking events, however…
Check out the pictures from The Big Event here...
And it was certainly enjoyable in places. When the crowd was engaged it gave the matches that special, big time feel, and as a result the matches featuring Steamboat vs. Roberts, The Machines & Albano vs. Heenan, Bundy & Studd, and the main event between Hogan and Orndorff were all very enjoyable. The disqualification finishes for the latter two detracted somewhat from them, but also made sense as both of these feuds were only in their first few weeks, and perhaps some people needed protecting to extend them longer. The finish to Steamboat-Roberts did of course produce a winner, but the desperate element of the winning pinfall meant it was very easy to carry on that feud as well.
Throughout the rest of the card there were a lot of so-so matches that never really went anywhere, but most of them had a point in terms of getting someone over, be it Dick Slater or Ted Arcidi. Good action could be found in the tag team matches, with solid performances in The Dream Team-Rougeaus match in particular.
For the biggest card of the year (and all time at that point) it was a shame to not see some of the other quality talent on the show such as Randy Savage, Bob Orton, The Hart Foundation or The British Bulldogs, but this was a time when the WWF was running 2-3 shows a night, so they were needed elsewhere.
It’s an indicator then of just how big the Hogan-Orndorff feud had already become that a card with so much filler (Muraco vs. Haku, Arcidi vs. Tony Garea or Dick Slater vs. Mike Sharpe, anyone?) could break attendance records. An event of historical significance, then, but not featuring the best matches you could find in the WWF in 1986. The big three matches are worth a look though, as much due to the electrifying crowd as to the action in the ring. This was just the beginning of attendance-breaking events, however…
Check out the pictures from The Big Event here...